City of Portland Has Money to Spare: How Will It Be Spent?

Anticipating a tough fiscal year, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales advised his staff to proceed frugally. It worked, apparently. A recent budget report showed an estimated $11 million in “excess” funds. The mayor and city commissioners have differing ideas about where the money should be spent, from paying down debt to aiding the homeless population.

We’ll check in with Oregonian reporter Andrew Theen about the latest updates on the city’s unexpected financial surplus.

Do you live in Portland? How do you think the city should spend the money?